NEWLY-ELECTED MDC Matabeleland South provincial chairperson Pilate Ndebele has distanced himself from reports linking him to the endorsement of party secretary-general Priscilla Misihairabwi-Mushonga’s nomination to the National Assembly under the women’s quota proportional representation. NDUDUZO TSHUMA STAFF REPORTER
Ndebele said he only signed the papers accepting the position of provincial chairperson, but did not endorse Misihairabwi-Mushonga.
“What worries me is that I am said to have endorsed Misihairabwi-Mushonga which is not true,” Ndebele said.
“As an individual, I did not endorse her and the province did not endorse her.
“The province met and selected me as chairperson and I signed the acceptance papers. Misihairabwi-Mushonga was never part of the agenda. I was shocked to read statements that I had endorsed Misihairabwi-Mushonga and acted outside the province on a matter which was not even on the agenda.”
Ndebele said the province would sit and discuss the Misihairabwi-Mushonga issue and map a way forward.
“We have to sit as a province. I cannot make decisions alone outside the structures, so we will meet and discuss the matter and then decided on the way forward.”
He added that the statements attributed to him endorsing Misihairabwi-Mushonga were generated in the party’s Press office but he was yet to consult officials over the matter.
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Ndebele was elected to the post on Sunday replacing Petros Mukwena, who was expelled for bringing the party into disrepute.
Sibekithemba Njani landed the position of deputy organising secretary with Robert Ndlovu securing the secretary for political education and training post.
The filling of posts comes after some senior party officials quit for various reasons, with the major one being unhappiness over the selection of Misihairabwi-Mushonga into the National Assembly to represent Matabeleland South despite hailing from Harare.
Mukwena had been leading the chorus for her replacement with a woman from Matabeleland South.
